Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2012/03/05/vauxhall_denies_us_volt_production_shutdown_will_impact_uk_launch/

Vauxhall: US Volt halt will not affect UK launch

Ampera charge still on

By Tony Smith

Posted in Science, 5th March 2012 12:51 GMT

Car Week

Reg Hardware Car Week

Vauxhall has denied that parent company General Motors' move to shut down Volt production for five weeks will adversely affect the e-car's UK release.

The production suspension, which will begin on 16 March, will have "absolutely no effect" on the UK launch, a Vauxhall spokeswoman told Reg Hardware.

Vauxhall will launch the Volt - called the Ampera over here - at the end of March, she said, and promised the plug-in hybrid will be "in UK showrooms in May".

By that time, the Volt will be back in production.

GM is halting production because it has 3000-odd Volts standing idle, awaiting orders from dealers. It sold 1023 Volts in the US in February - it's unlikely to sell that many Amperas in the UK.

Here, the car costs £29,995, though that's after knocking off the government's £5000 e-car grant contribution. The standard on-road pack includes a DAB radio, 7in touchscreen controller, alloys and cruise control. ®

First Look Vauxhall Ampera